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The sun had set over Gondor on the day of King Elessar’s death when the last letter had been placed in the oakwood box. Elladan brushed the dust off the time and date imprinted on the back, then picked the box up and handed it to Legolas, who had been waiting at the door, watching his husband quietly examine the remnants of his little sister’s life. Elrohir had already left to store their things on the ship, and his side of their bond was filled with quiet grief. He had left the last box for Elladan. He returned the warmth of Legolas’s affection through their bond and watched him walk away, blinking rapidly. The collection of the last two years of her life, Elladan thought sorrowfully. It would explain why it had been so much smaller than the last few, Estel wouldn’t have contributed much in his last year. His heart shuddered with his breath as he exhaled slowly. The light streamed bleary through the shutter on the window. Dust particles briefly caught the sun around him before settling. He swallowed the lump hooked at the back of his throat, fighting back against the morose thoughts circling like vultures in his head. Both her and Estel had lived long and happy lives, surrounded by their friends and children and the fruits of all they accomplished, adored by their people, and venerated as the great rulers they had grown to be. Arwen wouldn’t want him to mourn their life, though she couldn’t stop him from grieving their deaths. He nodded firmly, wiping his face, and strode out of the empty storage room. Their stories were told. It was finally time to leave.
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Gimli’s grumbling filled the air as it snatched Legolas’s musical laughter in its grip and whipped its way through the sky, skidding across the tides. Elladan glanced up from where he was leaning against the silver railing, smiling warmly at the two friends. They were only an estimated hour away from Valinor now, the stars glittering in the waves as the finely made ship sailed across the straight road. They were all gathered on the deck since the ship had lifted into the starry abyss in the early morning, and anticipation crackled in the air between them. Elrohir leaned into his side, eyes shining. He had joined Elladan at the front of the ship a few minutes ago, the shared wish of being able to see their parents as fast as possible settled wordlessly between them. Elrohir’s excitement bolstered his own, and he grinned at him as the ship started its decent.
He was pushed abruptly aside as Legolas wedged in between them, laughing maniacally as he dragged Adan in front of him as a shield.
“Las what—,” he was cut off as he turned away from his husband to the dwarf. The confusion cleared as Gimli scowled at Legolas behind him, a bright, sparkly blue bow woven into his greying red beard. Elladan laughed brightly, clutching at Las’s arms where they were wrapped around his waist, Elrohir dissolving into giggles beside him. Gimli rolled his eyes at his elves, huffing, but Legolas could see the amusement pulling at the corner of his lips.
“You better watch yer back when your asleep elf,” Gimli warned him, fighting the grin threatening to spread across his face, the blue ribbon fluttering in the wind. Legolas widened his eyes at him, smiling guilelessly.
Legolas and Gimli had started their small battle at the beginning of their journey, and Elladan had a sneaking suspicion that it had to do with the twin’s own low spirit. Either way, it had worked. Their jibes and gentle teasing were entertaining enough for everyone on board and had gotten laughs out of the two of them numerous times. Speaking of which. Elladan turned towards his brother, tugging himself out of his husband’s arms to follow him. Elrohir was talking to the captain, Saeron, nodding easily at his gesturing. Alerted of his presence, he turned towards Elladan, beaming.
“We’re landing soon!” Elrohir replied cheerfully to his unspoken question, “Captain says we’ll land near Avallonë, and then it’s a few more hours through the Bay until we reach the main port in Alqualondë,” he continued his explanation as they walked back towards the front, staring out across the lowering clouds. Elladan hummed, the smile on his face settling in for the duration of their descent. Heady anticipation coloured the laughter on the ship. The sailors called out to each other, issuing commands as the wood shuddered against the wind. Elrohir clutched his arm, holding his breath as the ship jerked its way down. Elladan leaned forward over the railing, eyes sparkling as the water sprayed in the air. They had landed. Excited, the twins turned in unison away from the railings, heading after Legolas and Gimli who had walked down to their dorm moments prior. The walk dissolved instantly into a race, and they shoved at each other playfully on their way down. They had entered the homestretch.
Laughing breathlessly as they ducked under the headboard, Elladan blinked as they walked down the stairs, eyes adjusting to the dimmer lights of the lamps. Further down the hallway, they could hear muted shouts followed by heavy cursing. Elladan caught his brother’s eyes, amusement etched onto their identical faces. The voices, which were now very clearly identifiable as Gimli and Legolas’s, grew louder as they neared their dorm. Elrohir knocked sharply on the door before pushing it open, Elladan following him in. They were greeted with Legolas picking up wooden beads from the floor, Gimli watching smugly from his bed but not looking inclined to help any time soon. He was noticeably bowless. Las picked up the last few and then looked up.
“Any orders from the Captain?” He asked curiously, accepting Elladan’s hand up. Elladan brought his husband’s hand to his lips for a kiss, as Elrohir retched impishly at them and reached around Gimli for a wayward scarf to shove in his pack. Legolas tugged him closer, looping an arm around his waist. Elrohir was grumbling lowly in his chest as he tried furiously to rearrange things in the overflowing pack, trying to shove the scarf in. Gimli raised an eyebrow at the younger twin.
“Shouldn’t you be better at packing by now, with all the frolicking in the wilderness?” Gimli asked dryly. Elrohir glanced up at him, sitting back on his heels, sighing.
“There was a slight mishap with the packing. Last minute additions that we needed to keep close to us, so there was no time for more structured rearrangement. Cirdan lent me the bag so I could at least not have to carry all of it my arms,” he explained forlornly. Gimli nodded thoughtfully, eyeing the bulging bag with apprehension. Elladan lightly elbowed his twin on the head, and Elrohir tilted his head back to properly scowl at him.
“Just put it in mine, I think I have a little space left, between some letter parcels,” he said, gesturing with one hand over to his bags. Legolas flipped the clasp on one of them, and Elrohir threw the scarf at him so he could shove it in.
“Whose is it, anyway?” Las inquired distractedly, sliding the leather strap back through the clasp. The twins tilted their heads together, vaguely resembling baby birds, Gimli noted wryly.
“Ours,” they replied in unison, shrugging. Legolas hummed and tossed the bag over to his husband. He nodded his head at the door, before walking to grab his bags. The rest of them followed his lead, doubting they’ll return to their cabin. The shores of Valinor were near. Elladan closed the door behind him.
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As the ship neared the port, a large crowd bustled at the forefront. Elladan grinned wildly, leaning forward on the rail, waving excitedly back at the crowd. Elrohir drew his brother back laughing, tugging on his collar. They could see their parents at the front of the crowd, Elrond and Celebrían both grinning back at their sons, reunited at last. A taller elf stood at their backs, his golden blonde hair marking him a descendant of Finarfin, with a quieter smile on his face. The portraits in the halls of Imladris certainly did him justice, Elladan thought.
“Gil-Galad do you think?” Elrohir asked, nodding at the blonde elf, joy still lighting his changeable eyes a vivid blue.
“Who else?” Legolas replied from behind him, his shoulders looser now that confirmation had come of Gimli’s allowance, on an official notice carried by strangely irate gull which had pecked one of the crew mates sharply when he had tried to reach for the note intended for the captain. Elrohir quirked an eyebrow at his twin, smiling mischievously.
“You know it could be Finrod, Eru knows he had a penchant for anthropology. Maybe he’s decided to come interview Gimli in person,” he said casually, biting back the smile. Gimli rolled his eyes from where he was standing on Legolas’ other side.
“I’m sure yer Felagund has met dwarves before, and besides, that looks like him there,” he said wryly, nodding at a rather shiny elf standing beside their grandmother, covered head to toe with jewellery, with about a dozen studded bangles on each arm. The four of them giggled like young children, hefting their bags as they docked. Elladan and Elrohir, to absolutely no one’s surprise least of all their parents, were the first ones off, dropping their bags to the side to greet them. Elladan let his step linger slightly, letting his younger brother hug their mother first. He could hear him sobbing as he caught his father, burying his suddenly teary eyes into Elrond’s neck. Elrond pressed a kiss to his temple, rubbing his back gently.
“Hello love. Words can’t express how glad my heart is to see you both,” Elrond murmured, pressing another kiss to his eldest’s hair. Elladan laughed, sounding a little strangled.
“Hi dad. We missed you,” he breathed out, finally drawing back to greet the others. Elrond swerved him easily into Celebrian’s arms, trading the twins between them, grasping his mother tightly, conscious of her doing the same. The tears he was holding back fell in earnest now. They held each other for a long moment.
“Hi mama,” Elladan said drawing back to look at her, still clutching her arms. She looked well, he was glad to see. Nothing at all of the scared, angry, and then empty elleth they had bid goodbye to in the Havens, an entire age ago. She still carried some scars, they all did, but the light in her eyes had returned. Celebrian’s silver-gold hair, braided around her head as elaborately as in their youth, gleamed like the late Trees that they inspired the image of. Her eyes sparkled as they examined him just as closely, revising her memory of him to no fault.
“Hi baby, you look well,” she replied finally, her voice a little deeper than he remembered, but not as hoarse. Celebrian finally met his eyes properly, smiling and then paused startled. Elladan gazed back at her confused, when suddenly they both realised. He dodged her playful swipe, laughing maniacally as she shrieked at him.
“You got married!” She exclaimed, laughing as she drew him back, trying to hold her scowl and failing. Elladan grinned back at her, tugging at his bond with Legolas to let him know there were introductions needed. Legolas sent him an amused agreement.
“Well, it seemed like the thing to do,” he agreed. Celebrian rolled her eyes at him, smile still tugging at her lips.
“And who exactly is my new child-in-law?” She asked after a moment, seeing that he wouldn’t explain without it. Elladan’s grin widened as he angled his elbow out towards the rest of their family, who were watching the scene unfold with varying degrees of amusement. Legolas pushed through the crowd, linked his arm through his husband’s, giggling all the way. Elladan, with all the gravitas of a magician presenting his most impressive trick, turned back towards his mother. Legolas bowed politely at her, as much as he could with their arms intwined, lips twitching at the corners.
“Mother, may I present my husband, Prince Legolas, late of the Greenwood,” Elladan intoned in an imitation of the court presenters, before breaking his façade with a smile. Celebrian scoffed at him before tugging Legolas into a hug.
“It’s good to see you again, Legolas,” she said rolling her eyes fondly, “I see you’ve decided to marry my scamp of a son.”. Legolas laughed at his husband’s pout, before grinning mischievously at his mother-in-law.
“Yes well, he’s very pretty you see,” he replied, scrunching his face up as Elladan pressed a sloppy kiss on his cheek.
“You both love me really,” he said cheerily. Elrohir threw a scarf at him, which he had retrieved to lighten the load on the frankly still overflowing pack, which Elrond had been eyeing with scepticism. Elladan yelped, before finally joining his brother in greeting the rest of their family.
Ereinion Gil-Galad looked just as imposing as he did in the portraits that Elladan had practically worshipped as a child, though he had a smile on his face that provided a warmth those renditions had lacked. After a stalled moment where all three of them hesitated, Ereinion opened his arms invitingly. The boys happily stepped into the hug, squeezing gently before stepping back.
“It’s lovely to finally meet you, my lord, dad used to tell us stories all the time,” Elrohir said shyly, since Elladan seemed uncharacteristically nervous. Ereinion’s smile widened into a grin, and he patted his shoulder soothingly.
“Please, call me Ereinion, we’re family. And Elrond told me plenty of stories of you too,” he replied amused, shooting their father a warm look. The twins exchanged a glance, eyebrows raised slightly.
Do you think….? Elrohir asked his brother through their bond. Elladan shrugged one shoulder. I mean, it wouldn’t surprise me, he replied.
They finished greeting their grandparents (Galadriel had shot a very smug look at Celeborn, and Elladan had just known he had lost his grandfather a bet), Finrod (who was just as charming as the stories made him out to be and seemed to have enchanted Gimli just as surely as his sister had), and their Galadhrim friends. Haldir had sighed despairingly as the twins had reunited with their partners-in-crime, Elladan lifting Orophin off the ground with his hug, as Rumil did the same to Elrohir, but returned their hugs cheerfully enough anyway.
“Good to see you again, little lords,” Haldir said teasingly, before rolling his eyes fondly at his brothers, “hopefully now you can keep them entertained.”. Rumil exclaimed indignantly at him, trying to catch him in a headlock that Haldir readily dodged. Orophin huffed at his brothers and lightly shoved Elrohir away after their hug.
“Go on. We’ll meet you back in Tirion when you eventually make your way there, you nomads,” he said knowingly, smiling at them. Elrohir returned his smile, and Elladan cheerfully shoved him back before agreeing. The twins left the brothers bickering cheerfully, where they would retreat to the palace with their grandparents and Finrod.
“We’re still trying to ease relations with our Grandparents, mostly Olwë. He’s still quite upset about the Alqualondë situation you see,” Finrod had explained, when they had joined their parents (and Ereinion) again. Legolas had gone on with Gimli with the late Lothlorien crew, to find the Hobbits on Athalon. The twins had sent them off with a hug and a promise of find them later. Elrohir frowned, swerving around an elf with an apology, in the bustling streets of the city.
“Is that why you’re not staying at the palace?” He asked, question directed at his parents, but Finrod was the one who answered.
“They’re far too polite to admit that in front of me, Elrohir. Even though I’m inclined to agree with them. But pardon me, I shouldn’t be expressing politics so soon! Can leave the crown at home, but not the prince! And anyway, they’ll be missing me now, and I can’t have them hounding Edrahil again,” Finrod said, rolling his eyes exasperated, “I shall leave you to it. For now anyway, I expect all the stories on my next visit!” He grinned charmingly at them, kissed his niece on the cheek, and then rounded onto a different street, bangles clicking, which presumably led back to the palace.
The twins stared after him, bewildered. Ereinion sighed amusedly, drawing their attention to him.
“Yes, that’s Finrod for you,” he said fondly, continuing ahead. Celebrian nodded in agreement, linking their arms, the two of them sharing a knowing look. The twins shared a glance, before Elrohir turned to their father. That’s a question for later, Elladan though wryly, newly aware of the closeness between his parents and the former High King. Elrohir tilted his head to the side. Elladan glanced sideways at his twin and father.
“Did Finrod seem…. strained?” Elrohir asked quietly. Elrond grimaced sympathetically, as they neared the view that opened to the main city. Elladan’s eyes caught the shine of a pillar near the bend, and whistled lowly, distracted, as Alqualondë came into view, the chatter trailing off.
The city sparkled. Resplendent with colour, domed white buildings glistened in the moon; their tops painted with varying hews of unearthly pigments. The pavements were lined with pearls and towering palm trees leading all the way to the main palace. Unlike any stronghold in Arda, Elladan noted, it was very clearly not made for defence. The coastal city sprawled across the lands, wide roads leading towards the palace and the House of Olwë, the sheer silver-dusted cliffs of the Pelóri standing sentinel behind it. He could still hear the waves crashing against the shore, dotted with chatter from the streets.
They passed gardens filled with an assortment of flowers; some varieties never seen back in Middle Earth. There were fountains spraying into wide pools with elves swimming languidly around in them. Elrohir nodded pointedly at a scene near it, smirking. Two elves seemed to be wrestling barroom-style, the brown-haired ellon shoving a rosy cheeked elf’s head into the water. The elf spluttered as he came up, laughing as he swiped at his friend. The warm heat of the Feanorian lamps hanging around the city lighted their faces.
Elladan turned his gaze away from the scene, caught by a demanding silhouette. The palace was breathtaking. Open gardens surrounded it, their hedges artfully running wild, peaking out beneath the colourful tiles. The tiles lined a long rectangular pool cutting through the grass, stopping just before the open gates. The palace itself was raised on a platform, with textured walls imbedded with engravings, sea glass, and pearls. It was crowned with a massive, beautiful dome, shimmering in different shades of blues and greens. Alqualondë was truly a sight to behold.
It’s pretty for sure, Arwen would’ve loved this, Elrohir murmured through their bond. Elladan swallowed, sending acknowledgement. Sensing his brothers dampening spirits, Elladan nudged him gently.
I still remember when we made that trip to the Havens one year, he reminisced, mum almost had to drag her away from continuing to pester the head of construction on that new building. The tower with the grotesque statues? Drainage points, I think? Elrohir raised an eyebrow, both of them lagging behind their parents now.
That was from that new architectural style Forlas was pioneering right? Arwen wouldn’t stop talking about it at dinner. For a long second there I thought she might start trying to implement it in Imladris too, he shuddered, bowing his head slightly in mock-forlornness. Elladan laughed silently at him.
It wasn’t that bad; the geometrics were pretty! He argued, smiling impishly at his twin. Elrohir huffed at him, trying to look stern (Elladan thought it made him look strikingly like their father) and failing.
It wasn’t. He admitted. It would’ve clashed with the rest of the city though. Elrohir was certain Arwen had known that too. Elladan shrugged a shoulder, a mischievous light in his eyes.
Might’ve made a certain someone feel more at home if he ever decided to move though. He drawled, cackling as he dodged a swipe from his twin. Elrohir frowned at him, feigning annoyance.
Don’t you start. He warned, rolling his eyes as Elladan smiled benignly at the elleth who accidently backed into him, deliberately avoiding his brother’s eyes. They had swerved through the streets towards the guest houses, the day’s business winding down at the late hour. Their parents had already checked in and were waiting by the entrance to the quarters and paused briefly to link an arm with each son, the need for closeness permeating the air between them. Ereinion smiled easily at them and led the way. Elrond squeezed Elladan’s arm gently.
“We’ll leave in the afternoon tomorrow, after breakfast at one of the eating houses. Your actual rooms are next door since I’m sure you’ll want to bathe. You two will stay with us tonight?” Elrond explained, pausing to glance at him briefly. Elladan hummed agreement, tilting his head when a thought occurred to him.
“Our luggage?” he queried, quirking an eyebrow.
“Will be shipped,” Elrond answered promptly, “it’s one of their biggest industries”. Elladan nodded, reluctantly detaching himself from his father as they reached the end of the hallway. Elladan pushed open the sandy door into their quarters. Elrohir whistled appreciatively at the spread.
Someone had opened the large, round windows to freshen up the room. The chilly sea breeze wafted in the air. Elladan could smell the pleasant scent of the coconut and vanilla candles burning on the side tables, and the bright moon flowers blooming in the earthy clay vases. He tossed his bag to one of the beds, flopping down to stare blankly at the painted ceiling as Elrohir bathed, grateful for the brief solitary moment after the hustle on the shores. Eventually, his twin walked back into the room, and Elladan tilted his head lazily towards him. Elrohir was humming an airy tune as he unpacked his hairbrush, a nice wooden one for their dark curls that were thicker than the usual Noldor texture.
Elladan heaved himself up from his bed, the weight of the long journey settling on him as he blinked the sleep from his eyes. The bathroom matched the rooms, a large round window lighting it up, as well as candelabras hanging on the walls. This window’s glass was stained though, a floral image coloured with light pinks, greens, and blues. The bath itself was wide, and there were an assortment of bath salts, oils and soaps lining the slab beside it. Elladan huffed in amusement. So this is what took Elrohir so long, he thought amusedly. After bathing (he smelled vaguely of citrus and cedar now), he joined his twin back in the bedroom, chucking on the clothes he had laid out on the bed.
Elrohir gestured at his hair. Not going to brush it? He inquired silently. Elladan hesitated towards the brush, before shrugging a shoulder and grabbing it. Brandishing it towards his brother, brush it out for me? He asked hopefully, widening his eyes at him. Elrohir rolled his, laughing. Sure, you scamp, but in their rooms. He nodded easily at the doors.
Elladan knocked smartly on their parents’ (and Erein’s) door. His mother’s long-missed voice called him in, and they entered to a comfortable scene.
Their parents’ room was almost identical to theirs, except it was far bigger, with a massive bed in the centre. Elrond was nestled into the thick blankets between Erein and Celebrian, and Elrohir climbed up immediately to tuck himself into Elrond’s side, leaning back on his mother. Elladan stalled at the foot of the bed, looking hopefully at Erein.
“Oh!” Erein sat up guiltily, making Elrond yelp as his headrest moved, and made to move off the bed so Elladan could take his place. Celebrian and Elrohir made an identical sound of protest. Elrond caught him around the waist and tugged him back firmly. Erein huffed in surprise as he leaned awkwardly against Elrond.
“He’s waiting for you invite him to cuddle, not for you to move,” Elrond stated mildly, nodding at his son. Elladan, still staring hopefully, widened his eyes at Erein as he glanced at him for confirmation. Erein huffed again, wiggling away from Elrond to shift back against the headrest, before beckoning Elladan over. Celebrian laughed against Elrond’s shoulder, stroking Elrohir’s hair, who was half-asleep and purring already.
“Come on you scamp,” she said cheerfully at her son, smiling softly as Elladan climbed up the bed and leaned against Elrond. Elladan shuffled back a bit, before glancing down at his hand still clutching the hairbrush. He glanced at his twin. Elrohir was sound asleep. Fuck it, he thought, too tired to stay shy, he’s clearly family now anyway. He craned his neck around to blink at Erein, offering him the hairbrush sheepishly.
“Will you brush my hair out for me please, ‘Ro was meant to do it, but I don’t want to wake him now,” Elladan asked softly. Erein blinked at him in surprise, before his eyes grew warm, and he took the offered hairbrush.
“Of course,” he replied as he guided Elladan around again, equally as soft, “if your hair is anything like your father’s it’ll be tangled in seconds.”. Elladan hummed sleepily, squeezing Erein’s knee gently in thanks. He felt his chest grow looser as Erein brushed his hair out, feeling the purr well up. Celebrian had fallen asleep as well, head tucked into Elrond’s neck and arm around Elrohir’s, breathing softly. Elrond was staring contently at Erein as he brushed his eldest’s hair out, leaning back against Erein’s shoulder when he finished and wound the hair into a loose sleeping braid. Elladan had fallen asleep against his chest in the meantime, looking younger than he had in years. Erein placed a gentle kiss on the boy’s forehead, and then Elrond’s temple. Elrond hummed briefly in acknowledgment before sleep pulled him under too. Erein stared up at the ceiling for a long moment, listening to the soft purrs trilling lightly in the air, heart warm in a way it hasn’t been since Nargothrond.
“Welcome home, boys,” he whispered gently into the air, “you were terribly missed”. He finally let himself fall into reverie surrounded by his family.